Lady Cougars take on Southern

By LaQuita Thompson

Houston, TX – Attention Houston fans, let’s dive into the world of women’s college basketball. The Lady Cougars faced off against one of the premier HBCU women’s basketball programs, and while they didn’t secure a win, the match was certainly thrilling.

The University of Houston kicked off their season with a couple of victories, generating the momentum they needed to establish a strong home court presence. However, following a challenging stretch of losses on the road, this game was crucial for boosting team morale and reigniting their competitive spirit.

Kierra Merchant, the starting point guard, missed this game, underscoring the Cougars’ persistent difficulty in securing a dependable floor leader and skilled ballhandler. This absence of direction resulted in a frustrating tally of 14 turnovers, which Southern exploited to score 20 points.

The guard play was particularly ineffective, managing only 12 points in the first quarter with a shooting percentage of 50% on five attempts. To improve their performance, Houston must enhance their three-point shooting; they went 0-for-0 in the first quarter while Southern excelled with a remarkable 63% from beyond the arc.

By the end of the game, Houston finished with a 31% shooting rate from three-point range, hitting 5 of 16 attempts, while Southern maintained a strong 46% with 6 of 13.

Southern entered the game with a shooting percentage of 33%, but they outperformed the Cougars by hitting 47% of their shots. The intensity escalated in the third quarter when Houston implemented a full-court press, raising the stakes. Joryn Ross emerged as a key player, scoring twice in the paint and sinking two free throws, narrowing the gap to 42-49.

Ross significantly transformed the cougars’ offensive strategy, showcasing her prowess in the paint. She delivered an impressive performance, scoring 13 points and hitting 7 out of 8 free throws, making her a key contributor to the team’s success.

Southern’s gameplay deserves high praise, showcasing the dedication of their coaching staff in instilling a deep understanding of basketball in their players. They outperformed Houston through a disciplined team approach, executing their offense with precision while maintaining an outstanding defense.

Olivia Delancy was a standout, setting the tempo and shining from beyond the arc with a 3-for-5 performance from three-point range and finishing with 11 points.

The victory was a collective effort, with Lagway contributing 9 points, Hurston matching Delancy’s 11, and Porter adding another 9 points to the scoreboard.

Southern dominated Houston in this matchup, securing a decisive victory with a final score of 70-62.